What Are the Different Types of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures?

Cosmetic surgery procedures are performed to enhance a person’s looks for various reasons. Sometimes there is a deformity that needs to be corrected, such as a cleft palate. Most often people undergo plastic surgery to change a part of the body that they don’t like. Some common cosmetic surgery procedures are lipsuction, blepharoplasty, face lifts, breast augmentation or reduction, and rhinoplasty.

Abdominal liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures. During liposuction, fatty deposits are vacuumed out to reshape the belly and give the person a slimmer shape. This type of plastic surgery is also called a tummy tuck. Liposuction is also commonly performed on other parts of the body, including the buttocks and thighs.

Blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, surgically removes skin from the upper and lower eyelids. The eyelids can lose elasticity with age, causing wrinkles and sagging skin. Tightening these areas makes a person look younger. Sometimes the upper eyelid sags so much that it interferes with a person’s vision. When this happens, some insurance companies will pay part of the costs of a blepharoplasty.

Another popular plastic surgery procedure is a face lift, or rhytidectomy. Facial skin loosens with age, causing unsightly sagging and wrinkles. A face lift tightens the skin to remove bags and wrinkles, restoring the face to a more youthful appearance.

Many women with small breasts opt for breast augmentation or enlargement. During this procedure, implants are surgically inserted into the breasts, making them larger. Sometimes a woman with different-sized breasts will have this surgery to make her breasts match in size and shape.

Augmentation surgery isn’t limited to the breasts. Implants can also be used to enlarge or raise the buttocks. Sometimes an implant is used in a chin augmentation to change the shape of the person's chin.

Breast reductions are performed on women who have large, sagging breasts. During this surgery, fatty tissue is removed and the areola is moved to a higher position. Oversized breasts can cause physical problems. Their weight may cause aches in the neck, back, and shoulders. If a woman has a breast reduction due to discomfort, her insurance will sometimes cover part of the cost.

Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, changes the shape of the nose. It can reshape the nose in many ways, including resizing, removing an unsightly bump, and changing the flare of the nostrils. This is one of most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.